Famed contralto dies, weeks after her husband
RIPThe death has been announced of the international Polish contralto Ewa Podles. She died on Friday aged 71.
She made her Met debut in 1984 as Handel’s Rinaldo and enjoyed a stong international career for quarter of a century. Her final performances were in La fille du régiment at Barcelona’s Liceu in May 2017.
Ewa had a long and happy marriage to the pianist Jerzy Marchwiński, who died in November, aged 88.
Very sorry to read this. However, Ewa Podleś was a true contralto, definitely not a soprano!
A truly great and underappreciated artist. RIP.
After I started listening to her recordings, I really hoped I could hear a ‘live’ performance, but it was not to be. She had a simply stunning voice with a true 3-octave range. Her Handel aria disc with Constantin Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber is absolutely superb singing. RIP
IIRC she sang Erda in the Seattle Ring (I’m guessing 2005 or 2009). I wasn’t there but I believe it was a “Who is THAT?” reaction. It’s not like they don’t hear good singers in Seattle but she was just a step above. I’m surprised she was that old but it’s not actually that much older than me so I guess it makes sense.
Oh, how very sad….she was absolutely wonderful, with a uniquely dark voice.
I attended her recital years ago in La Jolla, California. What a fine voice! RIP
This makes me very sad. She was such a wonderful artist. May she rest in piece. I will always remember her.
(I hope you meant “peace”.)
A great artist that we here in NYC were for the most part deprived.
At least Ms. Podles has many recordings and videos from which to enjoy her immense artistry.
A true gift to classical music. Thank you.
A late triumph of hers:
https://opusarte.com/details/OA1108D
I remember when her first records came out. Coloration contralto! She created a sensation. And she was excellent in a wide repertoire, too.
While I am saddened to learn of the passing of Ewa Podles I am grateful to have had the chance to enjoy her music not least in one of my favourite performances of Mahler 3: https://youtu.be/FkhpQ143g1Q?t=4064
Her recital we heard in Boston was truly one of the greatest I’ve ever heard – it stands out among the countless other recitals I’ve heard in my life. I’ve never heard Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death performed so impactfully. We were also fortunate to hear her live in Boston in Rossini’s Tancredi. I heard through friends that behind the scenes she was “difficult” and for that reason was not invited back, but what a performance – she carried the whole opera on her back.
A great artist for sure, and I’m saddened that she died so young. But we have the recordings, and her voice was well captured in recital with the great Garrick Ohlsson among others.
I will never forget the only time I heard the amazing contralto Ewa Podles singing in Amsterdam. Date October 1999. She gave a recital in duo with her daughter, pianist Anna Marchwinska! Never before Moussorgsky’s The Nursery (or Children’s Room) was vocally depicted in such an honest and deeply emotional way.
Rest in eternal peace, beautiful human being and artist.
She is one of the singers I most regret never having heard live. Would that it could have happened! I collected her recordings religiously for years.
She was an amazing vocalist. RIP to the great Ewa!!! Your memory will live on!